Asia

Pachisi has been described as the 'national game of India'.
It first appeared in India several centuries ago, later spreading
to other parts of Asia, Africa, and Europe. Pachisi is
usually played on a board of cloth cut into a cross shape. It is
played by four players, each with four pieces. The two opposite
side are partners, and they win or lose together. The players race
their counters around the board, and attempt to block their opponents.
In the nineteenth century a version of the game was patented in
the UK under the name Ludo.